U-Shaped Metal Destaticizing Plate for Resin Troughs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preventing static electricity in workers walking on resin-made troughs are ineffective, as they either require separate destaticizing spaces, have stability issues, or increase the cost and weight of the troughs, and do not ensure complete elimination of static charges.

Innovation Solution

A destaticizing member with a metal-made conductive top plate and leg portions is integrated into the trough lid, allowing workers to easily eliminate static electricity by walking on the top plate, which increases contact area and pressure, and is mounted at intervals to prevent shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon, low-molecular surfactant, polymer surfactant, or metal oxide is added to the recycled resin to improve electrical conductivity, then destaticizing effect is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and the trough becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestaticizing effectVSAvoidtrough weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the destaticizing function from the trough body material itself and separates it into an independent metal plate component. Instead of adding conductive materials to the resin, a separate metal plate is placed on the trough surface, allowing the trough to remain lightweight while still providing destaticizing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The destaticizing function is segmented from the trough structure and implemented as a separate metal plate component. This allows the trough body to maintain its lightweight resin construction while the metal plate provides the necessary electrical conductivity for destaticizing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a destaticizing mat or device is provided in a separate destaticizing space, then static electricity can be eliminated, but the device complexity increases and installation space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestaticizing effectVSAvoiddestaticizing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the destaticizing function directly into the trough structure by placing a metal plate on the trough surface. This eliminates the need for separate destaticizing spaces or additional devices, as the trough itself becomes the destaticizing platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trough structure itself serves the dual purpose of containing cables and providing destaticizing functionality through the integrated metal plate. Workers naturally step on the metal plate while walking on the trough, eliminating the need for separate destaticizing actions or devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the top plate portion covers the upper surface of the trough lid in the width direction, then contact area increases improving destaticizing effect, but it may obstruct worker's path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestaticizing effectVSAvoidworker mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The metal plate is positioned specifically on the upper surface of the trough lid in the width direction, creating a localized destaticizing zone. This positioning ensures that workers step on the metal plate naturally during normal walking without requiring changes to their path or gait.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces static electricity on workers without obstructing their path and can be easily applied to conventional troughs, ensuring stable destaticizing performance and safety by repeatedly eliminating charges during long walks.

Implementation Method 1

a metal-made conductive member, which has a connection portion to be connected with the conductor member... The other end of the conductor member is connected to an earth portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a convex portion, which swells gradually in a convex shape, is formed at the center of the top plate portion... when the walker steps onto the top plate portion, the convex portion sinks, which increases an area of contact between the top plate portion and the walker's shoe soles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

when the worker walks on the trough line, both parties are charged by contact, friction, and detachment of the worker's shoes and the surface of the trough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

the electric charges are induced to the human body by electrostatic induction... when a person walks on a floor, electrostatic induction occurs due to friction between the shoes and the floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic induction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3219852B1Destaticizing member to be mounted onto a trough for laying cables.
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3219852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3219852B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A metal band piece (3) comprises a top plate portion (5) and a leg portion (7). The metal band piece (3) is formed by bending a flat metal plate, and a pair of leg portions (7) are formed by both ends of the top plate portion (5) being bent substantially perpendicular to the top plate portion (5). That is to say, the metal band piece (3) is a substantial U shape. A bolt 11 is welded to one of the leg portions (7). A lead wire (15) is connected to the bolt (11) as a conducting member, and the lead wire (15) is fixed to the leg portion (7) by a nut (13). A locking claw (10) that is a fixing portion (9) is formed on the bottom of each leg portion 7. The locking claw (10) is formed by folding the end of the leg portion (7) toward the interior. The fixing portion (9) is a part that is fixed to a locking portion that is formed on a trough body.